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Equicon

Name: Equicon (combined with Filmcon in 1975).
Dates: 1971-?
Frequency:
Location:
Type: fan con
Focus: Star Trek
Organization:
Founder: Bjo Trimble
Founding Date:
URL:
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Contents

a 1974 flyer for the 1975 con

The first Equicon was held in 1971. It was a fan run Star Trek convention that often featured the actors and show personnel. Equicon '77 was canceled, but the convention made a short-lived return in the 1980s.

1975 program book

McCoy writes: The first four [1971-1974] were run by Bjo Trimble in Los Angeles. She allowed a group of STAR San Diego fans, headed by Jean Graham, to run the 1975 convention, combining it that year with the other LA convention Bjo ran, called Filmcon [hence, Equicon 75/Filmcon 3]."[1]

1971

The conventions were wildly popular and often attracted huge crows: "My first convention was Equicon 1, held in LA, which was the second Star Trek convention. It went down as the fire martial con since they did a tv ad at the last minute and instead of max of maybe 500 total, got over a thousand attendees in a day. So the fire martial made people wait in line and if someone left, someone could go in."[2]

1972

1973

Alan White writes of the 1973 Equicon:"Equicon was responsible for luring thousands of youngsters into fandom who really had neither idea of "Science Fiction" or "Fandom" thus terraforming conventions forever. Suddenly there were restrictions for costumes, parties and fandom as we knew it."[3]

The convention had a profound impact on many of the attendees: "My Dad took me to a Star Trek convention in Los Angeles, Circa 1973 (Equicon/Filmcon, I believe). I saw computer time-sharing terminals (old acoustical modems and "glass teletype" CRT screens) playing a Star Trek "battleship" inspired game, just more elaborate. I was 15 years old at the time and absolutely fascinated. They had other more elaborate tactical battle programs, but please remember at this time computers were all textual, no color graphics and sound effects. Just clever layouts of information and text on a CRT. I later found a fan service, the Star Trek Welcommittee, and obtained a BASIC computer program for one of the games - totally unaware of what still stood between me and being able to play again. Not knowing just what kind of resource I was trying to commandeer, I started calling computer companies in the yellow pages. I found a local company that let student programmers learn BASIC using off-hours computer time (again, remember this was pre-PCs). I taught myself computer programming, and therefore got a leg up on personal computers and technology before it became popular - fast forward 40 years, I ended up in Silicon Valley with six-figure job before it was all over and done with."[4]

1974

1975

From the San Diego SF convention web page:"Guests [at the 1975 Equicon] included the entire main cast of Star Trek....Briggs adds: the name derived from the convention supposedly being on the Equinox. There were several Equicon's in L.A. before and after, at the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes.

Kandy Fong performed her Star Trek slideshow at Equicon 1975, setting the stage for generations of vidding.[5]

1976

(April 16-18, 1976) "Equicon returned to Los Angeles and drew between 5,000 and 6,000 Star Trek fans over the Easter weekend. The con had problems getting started on Friday and the hotel registration was running hours behind, but once those hitches were passed, the separate convention floor with its superb facilities was in full swing and the con provided more activities than any one fan could possibly cover in three days. Breakfast, sandwich, or beverage bars were available in the convention area — a nice touch by the hotel. There were gophers galore and hordes of security people, identified by brocade shoulder sashes... but no identification for dealers who spent much energy trying to explain their way into the dealers room — over and over. D.C. Fontana outdid herself as Celebrity Coordinator — she lined up as the ST guests Majel Barrett (her Lincoln Enterprises had a dealers table as well), William Campbell (who as President of the Motion Picture Fund accepted a check from Sacramento Valley STAR for a $100 donation), Frank Kelly Freas (whose gorgeous portraits of the ST stars — see his ad elsewhere in this issue — were featured in the art show), Daivd Gerrold (who ran the costume parade). Matt Jeffries, Shirley Maiewski (STW's pride), Arlene Martel, Leonard Nimoy (the con arranged for busses to take members of the con to his play at the Shubert Theater, then he gave an hours' talk at the con on Sunday), Gene Roddenberry (just returned from another string of speaking engagements around the country), Gene Roddenberry Jr. (who charmed the audience at the Futuristic Fashion Show), Jim Rugg, Grace Lee Whitney (making her first appearance at an ST con), and a host of other guests in the SF or fantasy field —including stars, production people, and writers. Grace Lee's enthusiasm was very obvious whether during her Q&A session, panel participation, or at autograph sessions at the STW table, she was delighted to be taking part and meeting the fans. On Sunday night she entertained by singing, appearing with a musical group led by her husband John Dale, The art shwo was consistently good, and the futuristic fashion show outstanding. David Gerrold was the first model and Dorothy Fontana was the last — as "Miss Tricentennial". The exhibits included the best Bridge mockup yet seen at a con, numerous "real" props, some really fine "shadow-boxes" containing scenes from famous SF movies. Lots of extras too: Lou Zocchi's magic show, several rooms set aside for gamers use which were always full, makeup demonstrations, many games and contests with prizes, and a Horta Egg Hunt on Easter morning featuring the Easter Ape." [6]

Video Footage

Excerpts From The 1974 Progress Report

Before email and flat rate long distance phone calls, most convention communication was done via the US mail. The Equicon convention organizers soon found themselves swamped with registrations and letters from thousands of attendees. The progress reports often contained lengthy reprints of these letters along with the answers, ads and announcements, requests for volunteers and information about the organizers. Below are excerpts from the 20 page progress report:

  • Who are these people?: Page 1 listed the name, birthplace, marital status and employment/career history of each of the 15 committee members. The list included students, restaurant workers, librarians, a Universal Studios tour guide, a glazier, a bookstore owner, secretaries, a Medical Service Corpsmen, and computer programmers. The editorial explained:
"This list is to acquaint EQUICON 74 members with their committee. And to assure parents that we are all responsible citizens with jobs, homes, families; just like any other normal person, and NOT weirdos, teenagers, or slavers! Except for the obvious insanity of running conventions now and then as a hobby, most of us are fairly intelligent. If you (or parents of an EQUICON 74 member) have any other questions, feel free to ask--some of us are parents too, and would be as suspicious of our children going away for a weekend with strangers! The actual company names have been left off the list, because as convention time draws near, we all get frequent phone calls, which would not be a good idea at anyone's place of business. Unfortunately, some fans think nothing of calling at odd hours to ask totally trivial questions! (We don't think much of it either).
In making up this list, we discovered how many librarians are on the committee. This may mean that librarians read more science fiction, or science fiction fans are librarians at heart, or that, in spite of some suspicions, librarians can actually read. Any other conclusions we leave to you, though we'd like to hear any imaginative ones."
  • Questions from young attendees: Page 5 featured these letters from young attendees: "I've met lots of kids who said they'd have attended the Equicon 73 convention if there had been someone to take them. Isn't there something we can do? -Richard B." and "My parents are sorta unhappy about the idea of my going to your convention. Is there anything I can tell them? Would it be O.K. if they came along? -N.F."
"(The word "convention" seems to mean drunken businessmen, careening down hotel halls, playing practical jokes on passer by! To science fiction fans, "convention" means getting together with people of like interests, to share a fine time of movies, speeches, meeting others, and generally having a good time, without being destructive to property or self. The most serious problem a young conventioneer might have is staying up too late to trade film clips or sing folk songs! We can only hope your folks give us a chance. Show them the committee listing, so they'll know we aren't a bunch of nuts, but responsible citizens with normal family lives, jobs and other everyday things.
Also, try to help out from your end, too: stop talking about Star Trek every minute and indicate a healthy interest in something else for a change! Then your parents won't feel they are perpetrating a fanatic fixation if they let you come to EQUICON 74, but merely adding a new dimension to a fascinating hobby. Right? RIGHT! Start picking up your room, keep your grades and homework done right and volunteer to do the chores without being nagged--then the only danger will be when your folks decide you are too sick to be allowed out of the house!
By all means, invite your parents to EQUICON! They might enjoy it. And if they are bored with our interests, there are many interesting places to visit in the Los Angeles area, and tour busses go to everyone of them! Our Registration Chairperson works as a tour guide at Universal Studios, in fact.)"
  • Food at the convention: Hotel policies against outside food were very strict in the 1970s. Even the maids were to be feared. Attendees asked: "Could you tell us if there are any drive-in places to eat near the hotel or perhaps a supermarket? My two friends and I are going to eat very cheaply the three days we're in Los Angeles. Money can be a problem sometimes! -Kim P." and "I have a religious dietary problem; can you arrange for the hotel restaurants to accomodate me? -J.N." and "How can a fan eat at a convention? I brought some strawberries into the hotel last year, they stopped me and said I couldn't take them to my room! -B.J.K."
"EQUICON 74 will have a guide of places to go for good but inexpensive meals. We don't want our attendees so hungry they faint from malnutrition--which has happened at cons! But play it cool: bringing food into a hotel and eating supermarket goods in your room is taking money away from them, and they rightfully resent that. When you bring something in, don't use an obvious supermarket shopping bag--there are many other things you can carry nibbles in! Don't just carry the strawberries out in the open. When in your room, be sure to clean up after yourself, and put all food away in a drawer; otherwise the maid will report it to management. Try to get food that won't go bad and smell up the room, or make a big mess; keep to high protein stuff instead of sugars, too! No, we cannot take on the job of handling everyone's dietary problems, sorry. Make your own arrangements with the hotel's restaurants AT THE TIME OF ORDERING: it is very inconsiderate to take up everyone's time fussing about it this early in the game: the restaurant can only do its best.)"
  • Roommate Matching Service: "Send your age, sex, interests to...be matched with a compatible fan or two. DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO ASK FOR THIS SERVICE. If plans change, be sure to let Fran know, so you don't leave others in the lurch."
  • Will the Naked Lady be back again?: Apparently, during the 1973 Masquerade contest, several female costumers appeared in something less 'costumey' and more 'au naturel.' One attendee writes: "A friend tells me that you're going to have a rule in the costume ball against the Naked Lady. If this is true, how childish and stupid can a convention get? -Irate."
"(It seems childish and stupid to insist on bugging us about this when letter campaigns should be directed where they will do the most good: at Supreme Court! The recent change in obscenity laws has made hotels very nervous; we found that word passed quickly in the hotel business and the first thing mentioned was the recent nudity at costume balls--not just at Star Trek conventions, by the way. We don't care to run the risk of having future cons turned down by GOOD hotels in every city in the U.S. because of someone's foolishness, even if you and your "friend" could care less! Meanwhile, some people may have to resort to creative imagination for their costumes, instead of cheap thrills. Sorry about that!)"
  • Boys who like dressing up are welcomed: "Why don't you have a contest for boys? Fashion shows are fine for girls, but we need something better: -Fred F."
"(HOLDIT! The costume design contest is open to all sexes, and is a fan PARTICIPATION thing. Don't make it into a sexist bit, OK? Many of our entries were designed by males, and will be modeled by males, too, who will enjoy it. However, if design is not your "thing", try a different-not necessarily "better"--approach and enter the pun contest, the caption contest, the folk song or Phineas Tarbolde competitions, or the Enterprise-in-a-Bottle contest! Or think up a new one for us to try on everyone!)"
  • In the days before desktop computers...: "HELP WANTED: Needed NOW--a key-puncher who can work from typewritten info, or someone who can transcribe typewritten info onto key-punch coding forms. Due to Energy Crisis, this volunteer MUST live in L.A. or Claremont area. We have mailing lists to do up--HURRY."
  • Minorities at the convention: "You guys make a lot of noise about "any race" can come to your convention, but that's so much noise, just like everywhere else, right? -Milt G.
"(Migosh. Aren't we cynical today? No it's NOT just so much noise! STAR TREK Conventions have drawn greater numbers of Black fans than any other fan con, and the numbers seem to be growing--and that's very nice indeed! Our committee does not have a Black member, but that's because no one has volunteered yet- -we aren't picky: if someone is willing to work, they could be PLAID for all we care! We do have Orientals, Chicanos, Italians , Amer-Indians, and other neat nationalities. Every religion is represented, I think ... We would like to hear from anyone who feels they were really discriminated against at any kind of fan convention: which con, when, and who did it!)"
  • Why is Mr Spock smiling?: "(Re: the EQUICON 74 flyer with cartoon-captioned photo of Kirk and Spock): The picture of Mr. Spock smiling is not to his character, as he usually keeps his emotions under control I would rather have a picture of Spock, emotionless, than one with emotion. -S.H.
"(We included the smiling Spock, because as a "crack-up" shot it is rare, and one which most fans would like to see but cannot easily obtain. It was meant to be humorous: there are many sources where you can see emotionless, unsmiling Spocks!)"
  • Babysitters and Surfing: Some parents inquired if the convention could hire babysitters. While the con was in support of the idea, apparently the local surfing weather had a lot to do with availability.
"BABYSITTING ROOM: Parents: will you support this idea? If so, please drop us a card, telling how many children and their ages, and approx. how many hours per day you might use the room. Otherwise, when you're finally tired of schlepping the kid around, or the poor baby is dead tired, you'll get socked about $2.00 per hour by the hotel, because EQUICON 74 won't set up a room for the kiddies unless we get some response! Easter weekend is great surfing weather, so LET US KNOW NOW, so we can get enough babysitters NOW--it is too late, that weekend."
  • Easter Weather in California: "LOS ANGELES WEATHER IN APRIL: Crisp in the morning & evening, warm during the day: sweaters are often needed, but seldom anything heavier. Easter weekend is traditionally Open Season for surfing (bbrrrr!). Clothing is casual in California, but scruffy people may find themselves waiting longer than usual for service while interesting things go on back at EQUICON 74."
  • Disabled fans at the convention?: "Is there any way my handicapped brother can attend the convention? Will Star Trek fans be nice to him? -V.G."
"(If you mean MAY your brother attend the convention, YES, of course! We have had Star Trek fans in wheelchairs or on braces and crutches; some who are epileptic, and with other handicaps. All FANS are welcome, and we will do our very best to accommodate anyone who needs a little extra help. Star Trek fans are very nice people, by and large: they were responsible for a goodly donation at Equicon 73 to Sophia Salvin School for Handicapped Children--where Katwen Trimble, age 9, and daughter of John & Bjo Trimble, attends school. Katwen is mentally retarded. So are some of her little friends, who will be at EQUICON 74, and none of them worry about people being nice to them; they KNOW the Star Trek fans will be understanding and friendly!)"
  • Where's my universal translator?: "I would like in formation about the makes, and the thing that was used in it. And the new Star Trek. -R.M."
(Uhhh ... could we have that again, please?)"
  • An ode to the Fire Marshall: "REMEMBER THE FIRE MARSHALL? Well, Mr. Frazier is ~till on the job, and unless we enjoy having to stop the convention and replace all the chairs where he wants them (and by law, he has the right to close-down any public meeting that does not comply--sigh!), then everyone better plan on being their own watch-dog! Replace chairs when you see them out of place, remind smokers--who ALWAYS need reminding, unfortunately--that smoking isn't allowed, and in general, let's police ourselves so that the Fire Marshall doesn't have to! It doesn't do any good to get childish about it; the man has authority over us, and there's nothing we can do about that! All we can do is try to see that EQUICON 74 flows smoothly IN SPITE OF FRAZIER, and the only way to do that is to obey every legal stricture he lays down (we plan to check and make sure that there is a law on some of the things). Bugging the Fire-Marshall may seem like good sport, but all it will do--especially in this case--is to make him drag out every single out-dated and obscure law he can find to slap on us and make the convention suffer! So, the word is: PLAY IT COOL, and hopefully, the Fire Marshall will too. After all, there are good reasons for most fire laws in public meeting places, so however unpalatable it is for us fun-loving conventioneers, those laws are for OUR protection. Our real gripe is the dedicated way this particular Fire Marshall nitpicks over totally unimportant trivia!"
  • Smoking at the convention: "(One lovely moment at Equicon 73 occurred when [Fire Marshall] Frazier entered the banquet and lit a cigarette. Craig Miller told him to put it out; that we didn't allow smoking in any of the rooms, and especially where food was being served. Definitely a case of "tit for tat"!)"

Gallery

cover of the 1973 second progress report

cover of the 1974 first progress report

cover of the 1987 Program Book

References

Retrieved from "http://fanlore.org/wiki/Equicon"